Date of Birth: October 15, 1917
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: February 28, 2007
Biography
Arthur Meier Schlesinger Jr. was a prominent American historian, social critic, and public intellectual. He was born on October 15, 1917, in Columbus, Ohio, and became one of the most influential historians of the 20th century. Schlesinger was the son of a noted historian, Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr., which undoubtedly influenced his career path. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1938. Schlesinger is best known for his works on American history, particularly his studies of the presidencies of Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy. His books, such as “The Age of Jackson,” “A Thousand Days,” and “The Imperial Presidency,” are considered classics and have left a significant mark on the field of American history. Schlesinger was also an advisor and speechwriter for President Kennedy, and he won two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Book Awards during his career. He was a fervent critic of totalitarianism and an advocate for liberal democracy.
5 Interesting Facts about Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
1. Schlesinger was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1946 for his book “The Age of Jackson.”
2. He served as a special assistant and “court historian” to President John F. Kennedy.
3. Schlesinger won a second Pulitzer Prize in 1966 for his book “A Thousand Days,” which chronicles the Kennedy administration.
4. He coined the term “imperial presidency” in his 1973 book of the same name, critiquing the expansion of executive power.
5. Schlesinger was a founding member of the Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal advocacy group.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
1. “History is to the nation as memory is to the individual.”
2. “Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.”
3. “Television has spread the habit of instant reaction and stimulated the hope of instant results.”
4. “The existence of a majority logically implies a corresponding minority.”
5. “In the end, advertising rests upon one thing: happiness.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. had four children: Stephen Schlesinger, Katharine Schlesinger, Christina Schlesinger, and Andrew Schlesinger.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-M-Schlesinger-Jr
2. [Biography – American National Biography Online](http://www.anb.org/articles/14/14-00970.html
3. [Publications – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38275.Arthur_M_Schlesinger_Jr_
4. [Obituary – The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/obituaries/01schlesinger.html
5. [Pulitzer Prize – Official Website](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr
